phytoprogestogen

{{Short description|Phytochemical}}

Phytoprogestogens, also known as phytoprogestins, are phytochemicals (that is, naturally occurring, plant-derived chemicals) with progestogenic effects.{{cite journal|last1=Hajirahimkhan|first1=Atieh|last2=Dietz|first2=Birgit|last3=Bolton|first3=Judy|title=Botanical Modulation of Menopausal Symptoms: Mechanisms of Action?|journal=Planta Medica|volume=79|issue=7|year=2013|pages=538–553|issn=0032-0943|doi=10.1055/s-0032-1328187|pmid=23408273|pmc=3800090|bibcode=2013PlMed..79..538H }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M | title = Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices | journal = Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. | volume = 217 | issue = 3 | pages = 369–78 | year = 1998 | pmid = 9492350 | doi = 10.3181/00379727-217-44247| s2cid = 20673587 }}

Relative to their phytoestrogen counterparts, phytoprogestogens are rare. However, a number have been identified, including kaempferol, diosgenin (found in yam), apigenin (found in chasteberry),{{cite journal|last1=Toh|first1=M.F.|last2=Sohn|first2=J.|last3=Chen|first3=S.N.|last4=Yao|first4=P.|last5=Bolton|first5=J.L.|last6=Burdette|first6=J.E.|title=Biological characterization of non-steroidal progestins from botanicals used for women's health|journal=Steroids|volume=77|issue=7|year=2012|pages=765–773|issn=0039-128X|doi=10.1016/j.steroids.2012.03.013|pmid=22484153|pmc=3601661}} naringenin, and syringic acid, among others. In addition, 3,8-dihydrodiligustilide from Ligusticum chuanxiong is a potent progestogen (EC₅₀ = 90 nM), whereas riligustilide is a weak progestogen (EC₅₀ ≈ 81 μM).{{cite journal | vauthors = Lim LS, Shen P, Gong YH, Yong EL | title = Dimeric progestins from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong | journal = Phytochemistry | volume = 67 | issue = 7 | pages = 728–34 | year = 2006 | pmid = 16516938 | doi = 10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.01.024 | bibcode = 2006PChem..67..728L }}{{cite journal|last1=Ahmed|first1=H.M.M.|last2=Yeh|first2=J.Y.|last3=Lin|first3=W.J.|last4=Forsberg|first4=N.E.|last5=Cheng|first5=W.T.K.|last6=Ou|first6=B.R|title=Validation of a luciferase bioassay to detect the progestative activity in gilts whose estrus was induced by an uterotonic herb (Ligusticum chuanxiong)|journal=Livestock Science|volume=163|year=2014|pages=159–164|issn=1871-1413|doi=10.1016/j.livsci.2014.02.012}}